Prices are rapidly rolling from record high prices in 2014 -- driven by massive PEDv death rumors-turned-reality -- down to five-year lows near $45 per hundredweight, landing the hog markets in what may be "the greatest collapse of hog prices ever." Even through PEDv killing millions of pigs, 2014 pork production was only down two percent and is now skyrocketing past hog supply projections in 2015.

Penn State Extension: Crop Management Team is proud to announce that we will again be hosting an The Agronomy Scout School is designed for entry level scouts (i.e., non-CCAs with limited or no crop scouting experience, or as a refresher) who will be working for crop consultants, industry agronomists, or ag service providers throughout Pennsylvania or neighboring states.

This winter has brought long-term snow coverage in many parts of the Commonwealth, much like the winter of 2014. In conditions like these, we are more likely to see snow molds affecting our wheat, barley or rye plantings. As these areas melt for the first time, you may be able to see the mold itself as a pink, fuzzy growth on dead or dying leaves.

Two CropLife 100 retailers — South Dakota Wheat Growers (No. The Boards of Directors of both cooperatives have unanimously approved the Letter of Intent, which enables the businesses to work closely together to finalize the agreement prior to a vote of the full membership of each cooperative. We have been focused on ensuring a long-term pathway of success for our members and customers.

As it stands right now, that's the outlook for corn and soybean planting in the next few weeks in the U.S., as winter slowly loosens its grip over the central portion of the country. In the 11- to 15-day forecast, temperatures are expected to remain higher than normal with less-than-normal precipitation, 2 trends that could help the Midwestern soils wake up from winter and lay the groundwork for this spring's planting window.

As we enhance our understanding of new risk management tools available to us out of the 2014 Farm Bill, the Supplemental Coverage Option (SCO) is a crop insurance product we should consider. SCO can be thought of as an endorsement to our individual plans of insurance as we must have yield protection or revenue protection crop insurance products in place in order to secure SCO coverage.

March 3, 2015 -Washington wheat farmer Bret Blankenship was elected as the new President of the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) at the Association's Board of Directors meeting Thursday, February 26. "I'm looking forward to a very productive year for NAWG and America's wheat growers. I have high expectations for my tenure, and I [ ].

Researchers at the Institute of Food Research have developed a new way of rapidly screening yeasts that could help produce more sustainable biofuels. Pretreatments are used to break open the cellular structure of the biomass, and enzymes convert the treated biomass into sugars for yeasts to ferment. NCYC has over 4,000 different yeast strains in its collection.

United Soybean Board Announces Its Outstanding Achievement and Excellence in Oil Awards ST. LOUIS (March 3, 2015) - The United Soybean Board (USB) recently awarded two of its highest honors to a market developer and an organization that have been instrumental in developing major new opportunities for U.S.

Leaf rust is spreading in wheat plots near College Station, Texas and stripe rust has been found in areas of southern and central Texas, according to Amir Ibrahim, professor of small grains breeding and genetics at Texas A&M AgriLife. French reports that farmers worried about stripe rust have had good success controlling the disease by adding a fungicide during topdress applications of fertilizer.

"The enzyme Rubisco has baffled scientists for over 50 years, as it is thousands of times less efficient at its job than most other enzymes," said Dr Spencer Whitney from The Australian National University (ANU) who was leader of the research team from the ARC Centre of Excellence for Translational Photosynthesis.

Grain markets surrendered Friday's gains and over in beans, a large portion of last Thursdays strength as well. As we see bean inspections fade, corn continues to pick up a little volume and last week we posted the largest loadings for the marketing year at 50.4 million bushels. This was 41% higher than the previous week and nearly double the 10-week average and brings inspections to date up to 731.66 million bushels.

— The lack of snow cover in North Dakota coupled with cold weather continues to be a concern for winter crops. The Agriculture Department says in its latest crop report that only 64 percent of the state's winter wheat crop is in good to excellent condition. Extreme cold in recent weeks also has caused concerns among ranchers doing early calving, though cattle and calf conditions are still rated 86 percent good to excellent.

While Dow AgroSciences and Monsanto may be waiting for final approval for their herbicide-tolerant varieties in a number of countries, company representatives will still be plenty busy this summer. To recap: DowAgroSciences received USDA approval for Enlist corn and soybeans in September— and EPA registration for Enlist Duo herbicide (2,4-D choline and glyphosate) in October.

Turnaround Tuesday for the grains again. The same factors -- namely the trucker strike and rainfall in Brazil -- remain in play today, though talk that the strike could be ending soon could curtail any price support for soybeans. I am watching the extended forecasts for the northern Plains, where it now looks warm and dry through the end of March." See the latest grain prices Spring weather nerves already.

It has been a cold February in 2015, with temps much below normal all month which has meant very little snowmelt in corn belt country. If the weather does change, it could impact just how early crops are planted across the corn belt and northern Plains. It also might finally end the discussion of just how large last year's crop was, and how big the carryout will be when we end the marketing year for corn, wheat, and soybeans.

The plunge in oil prices has strained the balance sheets of drillers and reduced costs for airlines. One way that companies manage the risks from commodities market swings is through hedging. It is a form of insurance against adverse moves in markets notorious for them. Traditionally with derivatives such as futures and options.

BURLEY • Money was strewn about the tiny café inside Mountain View Christian Center in Burley on Saturday as a crime victim lay in a pool of blood with the murder weapon – a frying pan – at his side. “This is going to be my job eventually,” said Greg Howell as he twirled a brush full of fingerprint powder in front of a glass tip jar in hopes of lifting the loops, whorls and arches onto some tape for analysis.

At the livestock auction held Friday in Siler City a total of 89 cattle and 20 goats were sold. There were too few sales to establish an adequate market trend. It was reported that demand, market activity and buyer interest

US - Markets can take your breath away and the hog market over the past year has left many breathless. Baby pig death losses of nearly 100 per cent were the reality for some herds. There was trade talk that death losses were so high that 20 per cent of pork production could be lost in 2014. Fear ...

Jim Long on ThePigSite Jim Long is President & CEO of Genesus Genetics. CANADA - Last week the Cash Hog Market showed a pulse! The 53 – 54% lean hog price increased 4¢ or $8.00 a head Thursday to Thursday. Finally, the market price had an increase after what seemed like weeks upon weeks of ...

US - First quarter hog slaughter subsided a bit last week, dropping by 0.8 per cent from the week before to 2.262 million head. That figure was still 5.6 per cent larger than last year at a time when the December Hogs and Pigs report indicated that hog supplies should be about 0.5 per cent higher, writes Steve Meyer in the National Hog Farmer.

In a review of these findings, published in the February 25 issue of the Cell Press journal Trends in Plant Science, two bioethicists from Hokkaido University propose new regulatory models for genome-edited crops and declare a call to action for clarifying the social issues associated with such genetically engineered crops.

US - Combining global economics, geography, ecology and environmental sciences is essential to understanding how changes in trade and natural systems in one part of the world affect those in another, a review concludes. These effects can in turn influence greenhouse gas emission levels - for instance, clearing more land for agriculture adds carbon dioxide to the atmosphere.

The Australian commodity forecaster is predicting sustained improvement for livestock profitability into next financial year, and a turnaround in fortunes for the cropping sector. It's tipping the gross value of farm production to increase 5.3 per cent to $54.4 billion next financial year, even as total volume of production continues to fall.

Four weed-management tactics you can still implement this year If a management plan for combatting herbicide resistance isn't part of your operation yet, experts say it's never too late to start. While there are many steps that farmers can take, weed scientists from around the country say starting with even a few practices can go.

A team of researchers from 26 institutions around the world has sequenced the Hessian fly genome, shedding light on how the insect creates growth-stunting galls in wheat. Hessian fly larvae can destroy entire wheat fields by injecting seedlings with potent saliva that "hijacks" the plants' biochemistry, irreversibly halting development and forcing the seedlings to produce a leaky tissue that contains nutrients for the larvae.

Last week in Phoenix, AZ, the Commodity Classic celebrated its 20 anniversary. Likewise, some crop protection companies spent much of the 2015 Commodity Classic talking about products they have in the governmental approval process pipeline, with most expecting some form of federal sign-off before the year is out.

LINCOLN, NEB – Notice is hereby given that the terms for three members of the Nebraska Corn Development, Utilization and Marketing Board will expire June 30, 2015. The members represent Districts 6, 7, and 8. (Note: Dennis Gengenbach, the current District 6 director, has indicated that he will pursue re-appointment.) District #7 Includes the counties of Boyd, Holt, Antelope, Garfield, Wheeler, Boone, Platte, Valley, Greeley, and Nance.

Farmers are always looking for new technology to implement on their farms to ensure their operation is as efficient as possible for the cost of the equipment (it isn’t cheap) and of course to make their yield potentials as high as they possibly can. One of the most important pieces of equipment ...

– Researchers and industry representatives interested in biotechnology in Louisiana met on the LSU campus on Feb. The meeting was convened to discuss trends in all aspects of biotechnology and activities taking place in drug discovery and development, biomedical engineering and agriculture, said Gus Kousoulas, LSU associate vice chancellor for research and economic development.

As Old Man Winter slowly starts to loosen his icy grip on most of Canada and parts of the United States, farmers will begin planting test plots to see what seed varieties will respond to their soil conditions and begin to make the proper adjustments to make their farm operations more prosperous and efficient. The PSF 121 Vt2ProRIB hybrid produced approximately 243 bushels per acre with a weight of around 58lbs per bushel.

On the road to Walgett a sign welcomes visitors: "Farming is not a way of life, it keeps everyone alive." But with drought taking a heavy toll on the region, farming has become a battle for survival. It just builds, the constant pressure and no relief." Chris Clemson, who has helped farmers sell their livestock for almost two decades, said even hardened and experienced landowners were struggling.

DES MOINES, Iowa (Agriculture.com)--On Monday, the CME Group's corn, soybean and wheat markets closed lower. At the close, the May corn futures settled 5 1/4 cents lower at $3.88 per bushel. Jack Scoville, PRICE Futures Group vice-president, says the strike in Brazil seems to be winding down and the soybean market is giving back gains.

– Ask cattle producers how they grind corn used in their animals’ diets, and the responses would likely range from fine, to medium, to coarse. Although there isn’t a standard in place to determine what equates as finely ground corn compared to medium or coarsely ground, corn particle size can affect digestibility and how cattle efficiently use the grain for energy and growth.

Generally mixed trade overnight with beans, wheat and soy oil higher with corn and soy meal trading a bit defensively but no significant action really anywhere. Markets need an injection of fresh news and I am not sure where and when that will be coming next. According to Safras, harvest in Brazil is now 28% complete, which is 13% behind the average pace.

Anita Wilson, Tony Franco and Bobby Coats Questions and answers Editor's note: Anita Wilson is Agricultural Program Specialist for the Arkansas FSA, Tony Franco is the Chief of Farm Programs for the Arkansas FSA, and Bobby Coats is Professor, University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture. What is the new extended timeline to update yield history or reallocate base acres.

Distillers grains with solubles (DGS) are a co-product of fuel ethanol production and have a long history of being fed to livestock; the first study about feeding distillers grains to cattle in the United States was published in 1907. For example, corn grain is roughly 10 percent crude protein and 4 percent crude fat; thus, DGS are expected to contain approximately 30 percent crude protein and 12 percent crude fat, respectively.

Brazilian rain delays could fuel higher soybean prices today. It's been bone-dry in much of Brazil and Argentina as those nations' farmers work to get the corn and soybean crops harvested. "I think that the wet weather in South America will delay the soybean harvest and also the planting of double crop corn." Meanwhile, truckers are still on strike in Brazil, though some roads and ports have been opened.

OTTAWA, Ontario – The Canadian Renewable Fuels Association (CRFA) welcomed the release today of the House of Commons’ Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development report, The Management of Municipal Solid Waste and Industrial Materials. The report’s recommendations recognize ...

I talk with Aaron Breimer, a precision ag specialist with Veritas and we discuss the low hanging fruit that he has seen give the best return on investment with precision agriculture. Plus I answer questions on weeds, soybeans and crop rotations. 4) 14 minutes and 50 seconds – clarification and follow-up questions about last week’s conversation with Horst Bohner.

There was no livestock auction held Thursday at Smithfield. NC. Broiler-fryers: The market tone is steady and the live supply is adequate to meet the moderate demand. Average weights are desirable to heavy. The estimated slaughter for Friday and Saturday

Hog futures finished higher Friday amid optimism that pork demand soon will pick up and the market may have reached a bottom when it slid to five-year lows this month. Cattle futures were mixed. April lean-hog futures rose 32 to

Grain growers across the United States have worked hard to get crop numbers to where they were last year after years of drought. Last week at the 20th annual Commodity Classic, U.S. Grains Council President and CEO Tom Sleight says

Last week was Grain Bin Safety Week, and Nationwide has partnered with the National Education Center for Ag Safety and other contributors to award rural fire departments with grain bin rescue tubes and specialized training to help save lives when

Weather Nerves Rattle As Spring Approaches
By: Ray GrabanskiIt has been a cold February in 2015, with temps much below normal all month which has meant very little snowmelt in corn belt country. In fact, the snowpack has probably increased in February, especially…03/03/2015 @ 6:12am

Soybeans, Wheat Markets Seen Up Monday
By: Mike McGinnisOn Monday, the CME Group's corn, soybean and wheat markets are expected to start mostly higher.
The early calls for the commodities on Monday, March 2, 2015, are mostly stronger. Corn is seen…03/02/2015 @ 7:21am

The Next 60 Days For Corn, Soybeans
By: Bryan DohertyAs the end of February approaches and insurance levels are basically known, the market will now look ahead and try to determine whether acreage will shift substantially between corn and soybeans. The next 60…02/27/2015 @ 2:52pm